Analgesic

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There is no solid evidence that the over-the-counter capsaicin creams are effective for chronic neuropathic (nerve) pain. Studies of the prescription capsaicin patch have shown it to provide very effective pain relief, but only to a limited number of people who use it. It also may improve sleep, fatigue, and depression for those who get pain relief from it. Studies included people with nerve pain related to shingles or HIV infection.

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Capsaicin (Capzasin-P, Zostrix, Icy Hot PM) is generally safe when used as directed, but some people may have side effects from it. Some burning and itching on the skin above the painful joint is normal when you first start to use it. If the burning sensation is too uncomfortable--like if you think you put adobo sauce on by mistake -- just wash it off with soap and warm water. It causes real problems if it gets into your eyes or in cuts. Use gloves when applying.

Allergic reactions are also possible, as with any cream or medication. The allergic reactions typically cause severe burning or blistering of the skin. If this happens to you, wash the area with warm water and soap and immediately call your doctor.

In rare cases, severe allergic reactions can cause skin rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, tightness in the chest, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.

Based on information from iGuard.org, a free medication monitoring service, 23% of patients experience side effects while taking Tramadol and Acetaminophen (Ultracet). Some of the side effects reported by iGuard members include: Drowsiness, Dryness, Weight Gain, Dizziness, Nausea/Vomiting, Abdominal Pain/Cramps, Fatigue, and Headache. Please follow up with your doctor or other healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms that worsen or do not go away.

Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) allows a patient to control their own intake of painkillers in the hospital. The health care staff will leave an intravenous catheter in place after surgery, along with a device that allows the patient to press a button for medication. PCA systems have a mechanism to prevent a patient from overdosing.

If you have a history of liver disease, talk to your doctor before taking Zydone (hydrocodone and acetaminophen), a drug prescribed to relieve pain. You may be at increased risk for liver damage from this medication.

If you do take Zydone, your doctor may want to monitor you especially closely with tests of your liver function. Do not drink alcohol; the combination may increase your risk of liver damage and other problems.

You should also be sure not to take any other drugs that contain acetaminophen -- high levels of that compound raise your risk for liver damage. Acetaminophen can be found in many nonprescription drugs, including cold remedies, products that relieve menstrual symptoms, headache medicines and anti-flu products. Read labels carefully or talk to your pharmacist if you are not sure if a product contains acetaminophen.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all your medicines (prescription and nonprescription) and dietary and herbal supplements before you take Zydone. Once you're on Zydone, do not take any new additional drug without checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

You should not take Tylox (acetaminophen and oxycodone) if you also take phenelzine (Nardil) or if you've taken it within the past two weeks. Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that's used primarily to treat depression; Tylox is a pain relief medication that's taken on an as-needed basis to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Because of the oxycodone in Tylox, which is an opioid (narcotic), taken together, Tylox and an MAOI can interact to cause slow or shallow breathing, low blood pressure, seizures and even coma, among other serious side effects, as well as put you at risk for serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening condition that can result when there's too much of the brain chemical serotonin in the body.

Lortab Elixir, Hycet solution and Liquicet solution are a few of the brand names for the combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen in a liquid oral dosage form. This combination of medicines is normally given for the short-term relief of pain. An oral solution is in liquid form and you should be careful to use the dosing spoon from your pharmacist, not a normal teaspoon from your kitchen. This strong medicine should be carefully measured for accurate dosage.

Based on information from iGuard.org, a free medication monitoring service, 44% of patients experience side effects while taking Acetaminophen with Oxycodone (Percocet). Some of the side effects reported by iGuard members include: Drowsiness, Constipation, Itch/Rash, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Changes, Nausea/Vomiting, and Dizziness. Please follow up with your doctor or other healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms that worsen or do not go away.

Opioid analgesics, such as morphine and codeine, are the primary treatment for acute pain. A person taking these drugs for the first time may experience nausea, itchiness, and sedation. These side effects can be amplified for older people. No one should drive or perform dangerous physical activity under the influence of opioid analgesics. If the sedation effect is overwhelming, stimulants may be prescribed to compensate. Many people believe that opioid analgesics are dangerously addictive. However, this risk is probably overstated; most patients without a history of substance abuse can safely take this medication.

An analgesic is a type of medication used to relieve pain, including pain related to the cold or flu. Acetaminophen is the most common form of analgesic. It helps relieve pain by changing the way the body recognizes pain or discomfort. Common brand names considered an analgesic include Voltaren, Advil, Motrin, Mobic, Celebrex, Ultram, Aleve, Tylenol, Anacin, Capital, Acephen, Endocet, FeverAll, Excedrin, and Wygesic. For the treatment of the cold and flu analgesics are often combined with other decongestants and antihistamines. Some of these combination drugs include Benadryl, Dristan, Allerest, Duradrin, Sinarest, Sine-Off, Sinutab, and Sudafed.